The Walker Guest House

The Walker Guest House

An iconic structure by architect Paul Rudolph heads to Palm Springs, making a special West Coast debut during Fall Preview.

The Palm Springs Modern Committee has spearheaded an initiative to bring a stunning full-scale, furnished replica of the iconic Walker Guest House to Palm Springs. The replica, on loan from the Sarasota Architectural Foundation in Florida, has been relocated and reconstructed in downtown Palm Springs.

The original 1952 beach cottage was designed by renowned modernist architect Paul Rudolph, one of the pioneers of the Sarasota School of Architecture movement (1941-1966). Also known as “Sarasota Modern,” this unique architectural style responded to the the natural environment and climate surrounding Sarasota, Florida. Natural ventilation systems and large sunshades provided a cool respite from the Florida heat, while full-height sliding glass doors and thoughtful floor plans maximized views of the lush landscape.

Rudolph was commissioned by Walt Walker, a Minneapolis physician, to design a subtropical family retreat in Sanibel Island. Made of glass and wood, the 576 sq ft home featured a kitchen, bedroom, shower-only bathroom, living and dining area within the frame of floor-to-ceiling glass walls and hinged plywood panels.

“With all the panels lowered the house is a snug cottage, but when the panels are raised it becomes a large screened pavilion,” Rudolph said. “If you desire to retire from the world you have a cave, but when you feel good there is the joy of a large screened pavilion.”

In 2015, architect Joe King was tasked by the Sarasota Architectural Foundation to build a replica – using the original drawings and materials Rudolph used – for an exhibit at the Ringling Museum. (Learn more about the process of creating the replica via Sarasota Magazine, here.) While constructing the physical structure, King was able to realize the extraordinary innovation and purposefulness behind each element of Rudolph’s design.

Next month, Modernism Week guests will be invited to share in the same discovery during a unique tour of the Walker Guest House replica, from October 18-21, 2018. The historic home will be on public display for only the second time outside of original exhibition at the Ringling Museum, and for the first time on the West Coast. Find inspiration and experience a piece of architectural history as you explore a shining example of the Sarasota School of Architecture movement.

All proceeds from this tour benefit The Palm Springs Modern Committee, a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of Desert Modern architecture and design. This is accomplished through education, advocacy for threatened buildings, promotion of heritage tourism, and the celebration of successes in preservation and adaptive reuse.